scholarly journals Pollution Characteristics of Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and Constituent Carbonaceous Aerosols in a South Asian Future Megacity

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 8864
Author(s):  
Afifa Aslam ◽  
Muhammad Ibrahim ◽  
Imran Shahid ◽  
Abid Mahmood ◽  
Muhammad Kashif Irshad ◽  
...  

The future megacity of Faisalabad is of prime interest when considering environmental health because of its bulky population and abundant industrial and anthropogenic sources of coarse particles (PM10) and fine airborne particulate matter (PM2.5). The current study was aimed to investigate the concentration level of PM2.5 and PM10, also the characterization of carbonaceous aerosols including organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) in PM2.5 and PM10 samples collected from five different sectors (residential, health, commercial, industrial, and vehicular zone). The data presented here are the first of their kind in this sprawling city having industries and agricultural activities side by side. Results of the study revealed that the mass concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 is at an elevated level throughout Faisalabad, with ambient PM2.5 and PM10 points that constantly exceeded the 24-h standards of US-EPA, and National Environment Quality Standards (NEQS) which poses harmful effects on the quality of air and health. The total carbon concentration varied between 21.33 and 206.84 μg/m3, and 26.08 and 211.15 μg/m3 with an average of 119.16 ± 64.91 μg/m3 and 124.71 ± 64.38 μg/m3 for PM2.5 in summer and winter seasons, respectively. For PM10, the concentration of TC varied from 34.52 to 289.21 μg/m3 with an average of 181.50 ± 87.38 μg/m3 (for summer season) and it ranged between 44.04 and 300.02 μg/m3 with an average of 191.04 ± 87.98 μg/m3 (winter season), respectively. No significant difference between particulate concentration and weather parameters was observed. Similarly, results of air quality index (AQI) and pollution index (PI) stated that the air quality of Faisalabad ranges from poor to severely pollute. In terms of AQI, moderate pollution was recorded on sampling sites in the following order; Ittehad Welfare Dispensary > Saleemi Chowk > Kashmir Road > Pepsi Factory, while at Nazria Pakistan Square and Allied Hospital, higher AQI values were recorded. The analysis and results presented in this study can be used by policy-makers to apply rigorous strategies that decrease air pollution and the associated health effects in Faisalabad.

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhupendra Pratap Singh ◽  
Gaber E. Eldesoky ◽  
Pramod Kumar ◽  
Prakash Chandra ◽  
Md Ataul Islam ◽  
...  

Novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), after being identified in late December 2019 in Wuhan city of China, spread very fast and has affected all the countries in the world. The impact of lockdowns on particulate matter during the lockdown period needs attention to explore the correlation between anthropogenic and natural emissions. The current study has demonstrated the changes in fine particulate matter PM2.5, PM10 and their effect on air quality during the lockdown. The air quality before the lockdown was low in New Delhi (India) and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), among major cities worldwide. The air quality of India is influenced by dust and sand from the desert and surrounding areas. Thus, the current study becomes important to analyse changes in the air quality of the Indian sub-continent as impacted by dust storms from long distances. The result indicated a significant reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 from 93.24 to 37.89 μg/m3 and from 176.55 to 98.87 μg/m3 during the lockdown period as compared to pre lockdown period, respectively. The study shows that average concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 have declined by -44% and -59% during the lockdown period in Delhi. The average value of median PM10 was calculated at 33.71 μg/m3 for Riyadh, which was lower than that value for New Delhi during the same period. The values of PM10 were different for pre and during the lockdown periods in Riyadh, indicating the considerable influence on air quality, especially the concentration of PM10, from both the natural (sand and dust storms) and the anthropogenic sources during the lockdown periods. However, relatively smaller gains in the improvement of air quality in Riyadh were correlated to the imposition of milder lockdown and the predominance of natural factors over the anthropogenic factors there. The Air Quality Index (AQI) data for Delhi showed the air quality to be ‘satisfactory’ and in the green category during the lockdown period. This study attempts to better understand the impact of particulate matter on the short- and long-term air quality in Delhi during the lockdown. This study has the scope of being scaled up nationwide, and this might be helpful in formulation air pollution reduction and sustainable management policies in the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1329-1333
Author(s):  
Miodrag Šmelcerović

The protection of the environment and people’s health from negative influences of the pollution of air as a medium of the environment requires constant observing of the air quality in accordance with international standards, the analysis of emission and imission of polluting matters in the air, and their connection with the sources of pollution. Having in mind the series of laws and delegated legislations which define the field of air pollution, it is necessary to closely observe these long-term processes, discovering cause-and-effect relationships between the activities of anthropogenic sources of emission of polluting matters and the level of air degradation. The relevant evaluation of the air quality of a certain area can be conducted if the level of concentration of polluting matters characteristic for the pollution sources of this area is observed in a longer period of time. The data obtained by the observation of the air pollution are the basis for creation of the recovery program of a certain area. Vranje is a town in South Serbia where there is a bigger number of anthropogenic pollution sources that can significantly diminish the air quality. The cause-and-effect relationship of the anthropogenic sources of pollution is conducted related to the analysis of systematized data which are in the relevant data base of the authorized institution The Institute of Public Health Vranje, for the time period between the year of 2012. and 2017. By the analysis of data of imission concentrations of typical polluting matters, the dominant polluting matters were determined on the territory of the town of Vranje, the ones that are the causers of the biggest air pollution and the risk for people’s health. Analysis of the concentration of soot, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides indicates their presence in the air of Vranje town area in concentrations that do not exceed the permitted limit values annually. The greatest pollution is caused by the soot content in the air, especially in the winter period when the highest number of days with the values above the limit was registered. By perceiving the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, it is clear that the concentration of polluting matters can be decreased only by establishing control over anthropogenic sources of pollution, and thus it can be contributed to the improvement of the air quality of this urban environment.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Bozzetti ◽  
Imad El Haddad ◽  
Dalia Salameh ◽  
Kaspar Rudolf Daellenbach ◽  
Paola Fermo ◽  
...  

Abstract. We investigated the seasonal trends of OA sources affecting the air quality of Marseille (France) which is the largest harbor of the Mediterranean Sea. This was achieved by measurements of nebulized filter extracts using an aerosol mass spectrometer (offline-AMS). PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Li ◽  
Yung-Ho Chiu ◽  
Liang Lu

Rapid economic development has resulted in a significant increase in energy consumption and pollution such as carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM2.5), particulate matter 10 (PM10), SO2, and NO2 emissions, which can cause cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Therefore, to ensure a sustainable future, it is essential to improve economic efficiency and reduce emissions. Using a Meta-frontier Non-radial Directional Distance Function model, this study took energy consumption, the labor force, and fixed asset investments as the inputs, Gross domestic product (GDP) as the desirable output, and CO2 and the Air Quality Index (AQI) scores as the undesirable outputs to assess energy efficiency and air pollutant index efficiency scores in China from 2013–2016 and to identify the areas in which improvements was necessary. It was found that there was a large gap between the western and eastern cities in China. A comparison of the CO2 and AQI in 31 Chinese cities showed a significant difference in the CO2 emissions and AQI efficiency scores, with the lower scoring cities being mainly concentrated in China’s western region. It was therefore concluded that China needs to pay greater attention to the differences in the economic levels, stages of social development, and energy structures in the western cities when developing appropriately focused improvement plans.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Lalven tluanga ◽  
◽  
H. Lalramnghinglova

In recent years, Mizoram has made immense progress in various sectors and initiated developmental programmes for its economic growth. An important contributing factor to this development and growth is the transport connectivity projects. Although connectivity projects can boost economic growth, its negative effects cannot be neglected. In view of this, the present research studies the impacts of Champhai – Zokhawthar road construction on the air quality and noise quality of the region. This comparative study of the impact on the quality of air and noise pollution in the pre-construction phase and construction phase provide a clear-cut example of the negative impacts caused by road construction and provide a fresh outlook for formulation of improved management plans. Air quality assessment was carried out using High Volume Air Sampler and the following parameters were monitored – suspended particulate matter (SPM), respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The results indicate that mean SPM concentration was increased by 22.82 µg/m3; RSPM concentration by 14.67 µg/m3; NO2 concentration by 4.08 µg/m3; and SO2 concentration was increased by 0.06 µg/m3 from the pre-construction phase to construction phase. Noise quality assessment was carried out at three sites – Zotlang, Melbuk and Zokhawthar by using Lutron SL-4001 Sound Level Meter and Leq, Lmax and Lmin were recorded and calculated. The mean noise level at Zotlang wasincreased by 8.72 dB (A) and at Melbuk the mean noise level was increased by 9.35 dB (A). However, at Zokhawthar, there was a decrease in mean noise level by 0.13 dB (A). From the present study, it is evident that road construction poses a threat to the air quality and noise quality of the study area and improved measuresneed to betaken to curb its negative impacts


MAUSAM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-118
Author(s):  
SUNIL KUMAR PESHIN ◽  
PRIYANKA SINHA ◽  
AMIT BISHT

Diwali is one of the major and most important festivals celebrated all over India which falls in the period late October to early November every year. It is associated with burning of firecrackers especially during the night of Diwali day that leads to degradation of air quality that lasts for a longer duration of time. Firecrackers on burning releases huge amount of trace gases such as NOx, CO, SO2 and O3 and huge amount of aerosols and particulate matter. The present study focuses on the influence of firecrackers  emissions on surface ozone(O3) ,oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5)concentration over the capital urban metropolis of India, New Delhi during Diwali festivity period from 2013-2015. A sharp increase is observed in surface ozone, NOx and particulate matter concentration during the Diwali day as compared to control day for 2013 to 2015 which is mainly attributed to burning of firecrackers. However the average concentration levels of the  gaseous pollutants and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) on Diwali day exhibited a decline in 2015 and 2014 as compared to 2013 due to increase in  awareness campaigns among public and increased cost of firecrackers.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 9473-9489
Author(s):  
Rafael A. O. Nunes ◽  
Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz ◽  
Fernando G. Martins ◽  
Fátima Calderay-Cayetano ◽  
Vanessa Durán-Grados ◽  
...  

Abstract. Marine traffic has been identified as a relevant source of pollutants, which cause known negative effects on air quality. The Iberian Peninsula is a central point in the connection of shipping traffic between the Americas, Africa, and the rest of Europe. To estimate the effects of shipping emissions inland and around the Iberian Peninsula, the EMEP/MSC-W model was run considering and not considering shipping emissions (obtained with STEAM3). Total estimated emissions of CO, CO2, SOx, NOx, and particulate matter (subdivided into elementary carbon – EC, organic carbon – OC, sulfate, and ash) for the study domain in 2015 were respectively 49, 30 000, 360, 710, 4.5, 11, 32, and 3.3 kt yr−1. Shipping emissions increased SO2 and NO2 concentrations, especially near port areas, and also increased the O3, sulfate, and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) concentrations over the entire Iberian Peninsula coastline (especially in the south coastal region). Shipping emissions were responsible for exceedances of WHO air quality guidelines for PM2.5 in areas far from the coastline, which confirms that shipping emissions can contribute negatively to air quality, both in coastal and inland areas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (22) ◽  
pp. 12748
Author(s):  
Jozef Salva ◽  
Miroslav Vanek ◽  
Marián Schwarz ◽  
Milada Gajtanska ◽  
Peter Tonhauzer ◽  
...  

On-road mobile sources of emissions make important contributions to particulate matter pollution (PM2.5–PM10) in cities. The quantification of such pollution is, however, highly challenging due to the number of interacting factors that affect emissions such as vehicle category, emission standard, vehicle speed and weather conditions. The proper identification of individual sources of emission is particularly necessary for air quality management areas. In this study, we estimated exhaust and non-exhaust traffic-related PM2.5 and PM10 contributions to total ambient pollution in Banská Bystrica (Slovak republic) by simulation based on the AERMOD dispersion model. Emission rates of particular vehicle categories were obtained through vehicle population statistics, traffic data survey and emission factors from the EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook. Continuous PM10 and PM2.5 data from air quality monitoring stations were analysed for the years 2019–2020 and compared with modelled concentrations. The annual concentration values of PM2.5 and PM10 in the study area reached 16.71 μg/m3 and 15.57 μg/m3, respectively. We found that modelled PM2.5 peak concentration values exceeded the WHO air quality guideline annual mean limit. Traffic-related PM2.5 and PM10 contributions to ambient pollution at the reference point located nearby to a busy traffic route were approximately 25% and 17%, respectively. The reference point located outside the main transport corridors showed an approximately 11% contribution, both for PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations. The simulations showed that PM pollution is greatly contributed to by on-road mobile sources of emissions in the study area, and especially non-exhaust emissions, which require serious attention in association with their health impacts and the selection of Banská Bystrica as an air quality management area.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 1299-1312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.-L. Zhang ◽  
R.-J. Huang ◽  
I. El Haddad ◽  
K.-F. Ho ◽  
J.-J. Cao ◽  
...  

Abstract. During winter 2013, extremely high concentrations (i.e., 4–20 times higher than the World Health Organization guideline) of PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) mass concentrations (24 h samples) were found in four major cities in China including Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Statistical analysis of a combined data set from elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), 14C and biomass-burning marker measurements using Latin hypercube sampling allowed a quantitative source apportionment of carbonaceous aerosols. Based on 14C measurements of EC fractions (six samples each city), we found that fossil emissions from coal combustion and vehicle exhaust dominated EC with a mean contribution of 75 ± 8% across all sites. The remaining 25 ± 8% was exclusively attributed to biomass combustion, consistent with the measurements of biomass-burning markers such as anhydrosugars (levoglucosan and mannosan) and water-soluble potassium (K+). With a combination of the levoglucosan-to-mannosan and levoglucosan-to-K+ ratios, the major source of biomass burning in winter in China is suggested to be combustion of crop residues. The contribution of fossil sources to OC was highest in Beijing (58 ± 5%) and decreased from Shanghai (49 ± 2%) to Xi'an (38 ± 3%) and Guangzhou (35 ± 7%). Generally, a larger fraction of fossil OC was from secondary origins than primary sources for all sites. Non-fossil sources accounted on average for 55 ± 10 and 48 ± 9% of OC and total carbon (TC), respectively, which suggests that non-fossil emissions were very important contributors of urban carbonaceous aerosols in China. The primary biomass-burning emissions accounted for 40 ± 8, 48 ± 18, 53 ± 4 and 65 ± 26% of non-fossil OC for Xi'an, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, respectively. Other non-fossil sources excluding primary biomass burning were mainly attributed to formation of secondary organic carbon (SOC) from non-fossil precursors such as biomass-burning emissions. For each site, we also compared samples from moderately to heavily polluted days according to particulate matter mass. Despite a significant increase of the absolute mass concentrations of primary emissions from both fossil and non-fossil sources during the heavily polluted events, their relative contribution to TC was even decreased, whereas the portion of SOC was consistently increased at all sites. This observation indicates that SOC was an important fraction in the increment of carbonaceous aerosols during the haze episode in China.


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